YOUNG people will receive some inspiration in order to 'keep them on the right path' as a colourful travelling bus stops in Romsey and Andover. 

Test Valley Borough Council, along with partners Yellow Brick Road and Resilience Voyage, will be running a series of events to support Community Safety Week.

Taking place from March 14 to 18, the events will focus on supporting and educating young people to deter negative and anti-social behaviours.

One of the key highlights of the week will be the ‘Choose Your Own Path’ bus, operated by mental health and young people’s group Resilience Voyage.

Andover Advertiser: Community Safety Week

The bus will take a tour through the borough, offering young people an immersive experience involving workshops and interactive activities to help educate them on different topics including the dangers of substance misuse, knife crime and gang exploitation. The programme has been designed to impart important knowledge and understanding in a fun and interactive way.

The bus will stop at various schools across the borough, including John Hanson Community School and Winton Community Academy in Andover, Test Valley School in Stockbridge and Romsey Community School.

There will be an opportunity for the public to take part and visit the bus, when the event moves to Andover High Street on Wednesday, March 16 between 3.30pm – 5pm and again in Abbotswood Sports Pavilion on Thursday, March 17 between 3.30pm – 5pm.

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Alongside the bus, other organisations will be running activities and sharing important information during Community Safety Week. Organisations will showcase their work and engage with young people to help positively inform them of the dangers of criminality, drugs and gangs. The approach for the week is to educate participants and encourage questions, rather than lecture or penalise.

Community, leisure and tourism portfolio holder, Councillor David Drew said: “Test Valley has a track record of working with local organisations to run positive events, such as this local Community Safety Week. It will be fantastic to see everyone join forces to highlight the dangers of substance misuse, knife crime and gang exploitation. I hope the week will be a great success and that those taking part will find it to be a valuable experience.”

Yellow Brick Road Projects is an Andover based charity that works with young people to educate them about life skills that can help to reduce their risk of harm and exploitation. Resilience Voyage are experienced in the use of interactive, preventative workshops and programmes to explore the way individuals think, feel and go on to behave.

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